BasiGo, an e-mobility start-up headquartered in Nairobi, has today flagged off the first electric buses in the country for passenger use.
Speaking at the event, Jit Bhattacharya, the CEO and Co-Founder at BasiGo said the company will be partnering with two pioneering PSV operators; Citi Hoppa and East Shuttle, to give Kenyans their first chance to ride in an electric bus that prioritize safety, comfort, and with zero emissions on a daily basis.
“These buses will transform expectations for bus travel in Nairobi and we look forward to seeing them carrying passengers in safety, comfort, and with zero emissions on a daily basis. With Kenya’s abundant renewable electricity to power these buses, we can make Kenya a global leader in the shift to sustainable public transit. ” he remarked.
On his part,Principal Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.Dr. Eng. Joseph Njoroge, said the government is currently working towards launching the BRT system in Nairobi to ease traffic with the goal to have electric buses used.
“These buses from BasiGo are proof that we can make that a reality and work towards building a sustainable transport sector.” he said.
Kenya Power CEO and Acting Managing Director Eng. Rosemary Oduor also pledged to work with BasiGo in developing the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
“We are ready to play our part in the electrification of transportation and will strive to support this endeavour and the transformation of the country to mitigate the effects of climate change.” she said.
The buses arrived in the country in December 2021 and have undergone extensive validation and reliability testing in preparation for the pilot launch. The buses shall now go into operation as standard PSVs with Citi Hoppa and East Shuttle.
Citi Hoppa will be deploying the BasiGo electric bus on routes between the city centre and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. East Shuttle plans to deploy their electric bus on the Eastlands side of Nairobi.
BasiGo also announced that they are now taking reservations for the first production units of the K6 Electric Bus. The K6 is a 25-seat, 250 km range electric bus that recharges in less than 4 hours. The K6 is designed by BYD Automotive, the largest manufacturer of electric buses in the world.